PARKER BHE ENGRAVING PATTERNS
 

I have a 1905 Parker BHE in 12 gauge. It has a floral engraving pattern rather than the usual dogs and scroll. Is the floral pattern unusual? Was it an upgrade to the conventional pattern?
Look forward to your comments.

Probably a special order request. Two suggestions. First, join the PGCA. Second order a letter on your gun. The letter may address the engraving as well as give you other information about how the gun was configured. You get get a discounted cost on the letter for being a member. And you have access to tons of information available here on the website.

It would have been special ordered. Similar examples have been observed.

Thanks. I do have a factory letter but no mention is made of the engraving pattern.

Interesting. Usually a letter would note that.

Here's another
 

My BHE '00' 28ga grouse swatter with floral engraving.

The BH or Grade-5 was the lowest grade which didn’t have a “standard” engraving motif or pattern. The choice of engraving was generally left up to the buyer. So, not to have it mentioned in the letter shouldn’t surprise us.





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As pretty much a gun that could be customized, I’m surprised we don’t find more variation in the engraving on BH guns.

I like that engraving!

I’ve seen BH guns with two dogs on each side; two dogs on each side with a roundel behind with birds in them; roundel with birds surrounded by scroll; rose & scroll; scroll only; No engraving anywhere at all…





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This same gun appears to be a trap or pigeon gun as it has a Monte Carlo comb which I think was rather unusual for a 1905 gun. Also, it has 32" F&F barrels and no safety.

Post very clear pic of the gun in various areas of interest

Posting these pics for Bill as he was having a bit of difficulty in getting them uploaded. This is the gun he mentioned in his posts...:bowdown:
Frank

WOW! That is a beautiful trigger plate. Any chance we could see more of the gun? OO B Grade 28. Just wow.

For what its worth - here is a B grade Single Barrel Trap. No dogs here - or on the A grade SBT - maybe no dogs ever on SBT's ? someone here knows I'm sure.. I learn something every time I post. I also note the Parker Bros in a straight line here vs the version with the bit of a swoop to it.

BHE 28ga
 

5 lbs - 7 oz
January, 1916
2 5/8" chambers x Imp and Mod x 26" (matches letter)
No mention of scroll engraving in letter
Old research that came with gun states: "only 4 made in this configuration" ??
Excellent in as used and well cared for condition
Had restocked, with a blank that I found down at the old Fox factory, to more friendly dimensions of good old American Std 1 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 14 1/4 x 2 1/2" down pitch with spured BP(exc original stock with skel butt and gold grip cap in secure storage) Photos are of its getting one of many rubbed oil finishes. Sorry no current photos of finished gun and it is currently, down in safe and the old man is just thinking of venturing to the john on his new hip without the walker.

Now weighs 5 lbs - 5 oz and has become one of those 'no think' pointing sticks.
Only problem is: getting too old at 86 in April to do it justice.
But, I am still in the game with my (Wounded Warrior) track wheelchair.

Qualifies for W.O. Odem's; "Ain't no Flies on Dat Summa Bitch"

Enjoy!!

Thank you. What a gun! Here’s to next year’s grouse season and a beautiful trip through the woods!

That's a beautiful gun. Congratulations staying in the upland bird hunting game in spite of limitations. Hang in there buddy.

My 1905 BHE 12 ga has a Monte Carlo comb---is this fairly rare for a 1905 gun? It also has a beautifully checkered butt. Isn't a skeleton buttplate more common? There is no mention in the factory letter about either question.
Your comments are welcomed.

Yes a skeleton buttplate is more common than a checkered butt. And the Monte Carlo stock treatment isn't seen often but there certainly are examples of such. I will say the pattern of the checkered butt is a typical Parker pattern. Letters don't always give the details that we wish they did. Just because the letter doesn't mention something doesn't mean its not a factory original treatment.

All three guns are very nice thanks for posting pictures. BH's are my favorite Parker grade. All mine have the more common dog engraving although the trigger plate engraving is different.

David, the pigeon in flight on the SC’s is the only animal I’ve seen on a Parker SBT. Not to say “never”, but I believe it would be very rare.

My heart is very happy for any grouse sent to Valhalla with that magnificent little B :whistle:





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My 1905 BHE has 2 3/4" chambers and is confirmed in the factory letter. The barrel flats are marked "Overload Proved"---is this Parker's way of saying that it has 2 3/4" chambers?
The chamber length is not marked on the barrels.
I presume that 2 3/4" chambers were special ordered at the time---otherwise they were 2 5/8"?
Thanks for your comments.

Generally speaking the PARKER BROS. OVERLOAD PROVED stamp began appearing during 1926 in the 216xxx serial number range.

Attachment 140513

If your 1905 vintage gun has such a stamp it may well indicate it was rebarreled between 1926 and the Remington take over. Does your rib legend have MERIDEN, CONN. or MERIDEN, CT, U.S.A.?

PARKER BHE
 

Its marked Meriden CT USA. And Titanic Steel.

A few more pics of the BHE I'm posting for Bill.

Interesting that the barrels are stamped for a Grade-3 but the water table is stamped Grade-5.

What is the history on the barrels? And was the gun originally produced with Damascus barrels?.....Nope, it's a Ti5 gun... Hmmm...

Beautiful BHE in any case!!





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May we see a pic of the serial number on the barrel lug please?

PARKER BHE
 

The barrels don't have a serial number. However, the splinter forend is numbered to the receiver.

PARKER BHE
 

The factory letter doesn't mention whether the barrels are steel or damascus. However, the letter does say that it was ordered with 2 3/4" chambers. The gun was bought at auction a few years ago so there is a gap of 100+ years of unknown history.

Well the Serialization says it was produced with Titanic Steel barrels so it will always remain a mystery as to why the barrel flats are stamped Grade-3.





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Sorry, the barrels are indeed serial numbered to the action. Had to take a second look at the barrels.

At the time the gun was rebarrelled, all Titanic barrels were probably stamped with a grade 3 stamp. When the gun was originally made, Titanic Steel was used in several grades.

That’s a possibility Bill. Titanic barrels were used on Grade 3 and higher. Acme Steel barrels wouldn’t be produced until 1907 I believe. Peerless Steel I believe was used on Grade-7…





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